Acupuncturist: I Love My Office

Introduction
Study at a respected institution where you can make connections with established professionals and practitioners entering the field. It is best to find a school near where you intend to practice, so that these connections can serve you and vice versa.

Respect that people have preconceived notions about what acupunture entails. They may also have a fear of needles. Be able to dispel these myths and communicate the value of acupunture not as an isolated practice, but as part of a holistic approach to well-being.

Job Function
I am very engaged by the diagnostic process, gathering history and information on the patient: description of their pain, their diet, their lifestyle. It is exciting, then, to create an approach tailor suited to their situation and priorities. What I enjoy most is seeing people benefit from my work, both immediately and over time.
Also, I have my own office, and I have it organized and decorated in a way that the atmosphere soothes me as well. I am lucky to have my job.

What I don't like about my job is filing for insurance. I am not alone. Anyone in the medical field knows how frustrating it is to deal with insurance companies. Did you see SiCKO? Advertisement
Lifestyle
I really like that I have set hours in my office. As opposed to an M.D. affiliated with a hospital, I am not on call, though patients can leave a message and if possible I will see them on short notice. But it's not like I'm at the hospital at 9 P.M. waiting to do a surgery. There are hospitals that use acupunture in lieu of anesthesia, however. There may be practitioners there that have more erratic schedules.

Additional Information
There is a burgeoning opportunity to take care of people who are dissatisfied with conventional medicine either because of insurance issues or because of they desire to look at their health in a more integrated fashion. As more and more people consider alternative medicine, there may be more work to be had in this field.

Regardless, acupunture is a natural method of healing and contributing to individual lives that can be extremely fulfilling.